Feeling Grateful All Around Stonehedge

Out Of The Mouths Of Babes
Ever wonder why so many people in our world are unhappy or disenchanted? Perhaps it's because we need to increase the amount of time we spend reflecting on what is good in our lives. Take a look below at the many ways in which students here at Stonehedge are grateful. They had no trouble completing "I am thankful for..."

• "my friends" - Jaxon, 1st grade
• "my family" - Alana, Kindergarten
• "dinner" - Mason, Kindergarten
• "everything, just not the bad stuff" - Riley, Kindergarten
• "my family" - Layann, 1st grade
• "food" - Avant, Kindergarten
• "my parents" - Alisha, Kindergarten
• "my dog" - Jason, 2nd grade
• "Fortnite" - Bowen, 2nd grade
• "my dog, family, and toys" - Mia, 2nd grade
• "cats" - Marlee, 2nd grade
• "food and toys" - Bennett, 2nd grade
• "hockey" - Dominick, 2nd grade

As our students have been studying the character trait Gratitude this week as part of the Positivity Project, they have demonstrated some ways they can be thankful and express gratitude in their lives.

You are aware of and thankful for good things that happen.

Positivity Project to Focus on Humility/Modesty and Kindness

As Thanksgiving approaches, it is fitting to study the character traits of Gratitude, Humility/Modesty, and Kindness as we approach the holiday season. 

Throughout the last week of November and into December, students will be exploring what each of these traits mean:

WHAT DOES HUMILITY/MODESTY MEAN?

You do not seek the spotlight. You let your actions speak for themselves.

WHAT DOES KINDNESS MEAN?

You are generous to others and you are never too busy to help out. You enjoy doing good deeds for other people. 

Kindergarten classes working hard on their turkey headbands

Mrs. Malbone's class modeling their finished headbands

Mrs. Stalter's class picks feather colors for their turkeys

First graders decorated placemats to be donated to the rescue mission

Kindergarten classes also disguised some turkeys. Shh, no turkeys here! 

Attention Kindergarten Parents:

You are invited to join your friends and classmates for a fun

Kindergarten Get-Together

Thursday, December 6, 6:30 – 7:30 pm.

Let’s play games, listen to a story in the library, make a craft, and enjoy a snack together.  Kindergarten children and their family members will have the opportunity to mingle with other families and get to know one another. 

Hope to see you on December 6 in the Blue Cafeteria!

Winter Has Arrived

When winter weather is predicted, stay tuned to Dr. Brown's twitter feed, the website, district Facebook page, the West Genesee app, and the local radio and television stations for information on delays and cancellations. In addition, please make sure that your child has appropriate clothing. Students not only walk to and from the bus, but also play outside for recess. We want to make sure they stay warm!

Blackboard communications software allows us to send emails, texts, phone app notifications, and make phone calls. (Phone calls will be used for emergency situations only) Parent/Guardians and Staff will NOT need to sign-up to receive information from schools that you are registered for in Schooltool. (You will have the option to opt-out if you choose not to receive emails, texts, and/or phone calls.)

For more information and/or to sign-up (if you are not a parent/guardian or staff in the Schooltool system) go to the website and click on the WG Communications sign-up/school app link.

Important Dates

Wednesday, Nov. 21-23 - No School, Thanksgiving Break

Thursday, Dec. 6 - Kindergarten Get-Together, 6:30-7:30

Enjoy this special time with your family and friends,

Lori

Happy Halloween!

Stonehedge is in the Halloween spirit today!

Blue side staff dressed as storybook characters

Mrs. Lauricella's class sharing their costumes 

Kindergarten students parading for their classmates 

Mrs. Donahue's class enjoying some treats at their party

Mrs. Kolis's class leading the way down the Halloween catwalk

First graders strutting on the catwalk

Mrs. Leonardis's class coming down the catwalk

First graders posing for the camera

Mrs. Kolis's class enjoying ice cream sundaes

Mrs. McCarthy's class doing a Halloween craft

Second graders participated in a Costume Catwalk in the cafeteria

Second grade superheros

Officer Gucciardi joins the community helpers group

Movie characters group

Mrs. Prosser, Mrs. Klaben, and Mrs. McIntyre dressed as characters from Harry Potter

Snow White and her seven dwarfs

The Turkey Trot Is Tomorrow (Thursday, November 1)

The 17th annual Turkey Trot will be held tomorrow. Please remember that Turkey Trot is held outdoors, so please dress children accordingly in warm clothing and footwear. Unless it is a downpour we will be going outside. 

Notification will be sent by 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 1 if the Turkey Trot will be cancelled or rescheduled. 

Please see below for information on Turkey Trot times and remember to send in candy donations:

Kindergarten, 12:55-1:35 p.m.

Grade 1, 1:40-2:20 p.m.

Grade 2, 2:25-3:05 p.m.

Have a safe and Happy Halloween,

Lori

Fire Safety Education is in Full Swing Today

Firefighters Dave Mazzoni and Zach Mason spent valuable time educating all children in grades K-2 about fire safety and responding to an emergency. Children were able to see  firefighters in their gear and hear the sounds the oxygen tank makes when in use. Children learned how to gain the attention of emergency responders if they are in a house and need help. Our youngest students in grades K-1 spent additional time with several volunteer firefighters from The Fairmont Fire Department learning about the equipment found on a fire truck. As you can imagine, students have several questions!

Each family should have received a packet of Fire Safety activities they can do with their children at home. Be sure to review your Fire Escape Plan and check those smoke detectors!

Thank you to our ST PTA for sponsoring a lunch for all those volunteers who took time out of their day to keep us safe.

Members of the Fairmount Fire Department help with fire safety day

Firefighters Mason and Mazzoni with Mrs. Farella our PTA representative, Mrs. Keevil, and Mrs. Barbuto 

Ms. Elmer's first grade class getting up close with a fire truck

Kindergarteners learning about fire gear

Second graders practicing banging on a window to call for help

Halloween
Keeping school safety at the forefront of our decision-making, thank you for understanding that West Genesee elementary schools will no longer hold outdoor Halloween costume parades. We will, however, continue to have classroom parties where student Halloween costumes are encouraged but optional. Halloween parties for the Blue team will be on the morning of  Halloween Day, October 31. We invite all interested families to attend the district-sponsored Halloween Carnival being held on Monday, October 29, 2018, from 4:30-7:00 p.m. at West Genesee High School. All are welcome! A flyer with  additional information about the carnival is being sent home with your child today.

Plans to Honor our Veterans and Stonehedge Active Service Members
On Friday, Nov. 9, we will welcome veterans from the VFW Post # 8664 of Camillus and the Camillus American Legion Knifetown Post #1540, on the morning announcements. We would like to invite any veteran or active servicemen and women to join us for the morning announcements and tribute. We ask that if you plan to attend, that you RSVP via the form previously sent home or you can call either main office at 487-4633 or 487-4631. The event kicks off with coffee and donuts in the library at 8:30 followed by our 9:00 celebration. Your student is welcome to join you for all of this celebration. Students are often thrilled when they see individuals wearing their service uniform!

Thank you for helping our children realize that the veterans, active servicemen and women we honor on Veterans Day, are part of our families and community.

Upcoming Dates
Halloween Classroom Parties K-2, October 31, ~10:00 a.m.
Turkey Trot, November 1, 9:30-2:30 p.m.
Picture Retake, November 1, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Gold Lobby
Half Day for Students, November 6, 11:30 a.m. dismissal
Veterans Day Celebration, November 9
PTA Meeting, November 14, 6:30 p.m., Stonehedge Library
Parent / Teacher Conferences, November 19 & 20, 11:30 a.m. dismissal both days


~Lori

Stonehedge Families Carved time out for our First Annual Pumpkinhedge Fall Celebration

Last Friday, Stonehedge families enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the building as the lights of  hundreds of jack-o-lanterns and luminaries lit up the grounds. It was certainly a sight to see! A very big thank you goes out to each of our teachers and their students who designed and carved a pumpkin to represent their classroom. Each child also decorated a white bag with fall themed pictures. We used hundreds of tealights which allowed visitors to see the creative efforts of all involved. Music was playing, children were dancing, laughing and enjoying the opportunity to be a part of our Stonehedge family. We would not have been able to provide such a successful event without the leadership of our PTA as well as the many adults and students who helped with set up and clean up at the end of the night.

SOCKTOBER a Success!
Last week we kicked off our Socktober collection of socks. Stonehedge families showed tremendous generosity and we were able to fill two tall boxes of socks for all age levels. The socks have made their way to the Rescue Mission just in time for the arrival of the colder weather. Thank you to all who not only donated socks but also took the time to talk with children about the importance of helping others.

New Cafeteria Tables
This year we were able to purchase new tables for both cafeterias. The new set-up provides much needed space for students to easily maneuver their way around the cafeteria. The chairs are attached to the tables making it much more time efficient for our custodial staff to set up, tear down and clean the cafeteria. Of course, the tables are sporting the West Genny blue color! Enjoy the pictures of the first students to sit at our new tables!

Second Grade Scientists
Second graders became engineers and designed two different models to stop erosion. Groups chose between using a retaining wall (popsicle sticks), trees (bolt and sponge), grass (toothpicks), and sandbags (cotton balls) to test out how to stop water from moving land! They used teamwork and open mindedness to complete the task.

Important Dates:
Monday, October 29 -  Halloween Carnival, 4:00 - 7:30 p.m., West Genesee High School
Wednesday, October 31 -  Halloween Classroom Parties
Thursday, November 1 - Turkey Trot (informational flyer has been sent home)
Tuesday, November 6 - Half day for students with dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
Friday, November 9 - Veterans Day Celebration
Monday-Tuesday, November 19-20 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - 11:30 a.m dismissal for students

Enjoy this beautiful WINTER like weather!

~Lori